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And then it was half-term! It seems to have come round extremely quickly - I'm still trying to ban my staff from referring to the next upcoming holiday, but fear that, if supermarket advertising is anything to go by, it's going to be here very quickly! There are still lots of things happening in the meantime, and lots of opportunities for you to have your say in developments within the world of SEND and beyond.
The need for co-production and listening to the views of children and young people with SEND and their families, lies at the very heart of the SEND reforms and is something we all need to get better at. Services will never be 100% perfect for everybody, but they rely on the involvement of their users to tell them how they are doing to monitor and review their offer - whether your experience has been good or bad!
The choice (and demand) for involvement in "consultations", "evaluation forms", "customer feedback questionnaires" and "local events" might seem overwhelming and time-consuming, but they play a big part in shaping better services for you.
I may not be typical, but top of my Christmas list this year? A sackful of completed evaluation forms for those people who've used the SEND IASS service recently - follow the link to help make my Christmas wish come true!
I hope you enjoy the bulletin, and as always, if you would like to add anything, please send it to sendnews@coventry.gov.uk.
Regards
Chris Firth, Manager, Coventry SENDIASS
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The National Autistic Society recently produced their annual "School Report" which focusses this year on how the 2014 SEND reforms have impacted on children and young people on the autistic spectrum.
Their findings and recommendations are based on a survey of over 1000 people, either children and young people on the autistic spectrum or their parents and carers.
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Coventry City Council has launched an on-line tool called "Carer Aware" to provide information and support for people who act as a carer (and those who do but may not know it) and those working with carers. This accessible tool gives information about:
- Who is a carer?
- What are their rights?
- What support is available in Coventry?
- Where to find further information
There is also a separate course for Young Carers - children & young people who care for either other children & young people or adults. Young Carer Aware provides everyone with a practical understanding of young carers and their needs in bite-sized chunks.
More importantly, though, it signposts all the sources of support that are available to help them enjoy a happy, fulfilling childhood.
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The Big Difference scheme has been set up by Severn Trent Water to help
those who are finding it difficult to pay their water bill.
The scheme offers a chance for you to get a reduction ranging from 10% -
90% off your average yearly charge. (Even if you have already paid your
existing bill).
If you are accepted on to the scheme, the discount applied is valid for
12 months from date of approval.
To find out more and apply, simply visit the website.
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Coventry City Council is due to start a consultation during November around a new home-to-school transport policy for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. The consultation will focus on seeking the views of those directly affected by any such changes, and those who may be affected in the future.
The consultation will be available to view and comment upon through the Council's "Current Consultations" webpages - the date is not yet confirmed as this bulletin "goes to press". Look out for further information for when this will be - SEND IASS will update through their Facebook and Twitter pages.
Coventry City Council are also currently consulting around the Connecting Communities consultation, which has proposals to make £3.8m of savings across libraries, children's centres and youth services across the city. Information about the proposals is available here.
This consultation will close on 12 December 2016.
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"One Voice", Coventry's Parent Carer Forum, invites you to share your views on the Local Offer currently available in Coventry.
Coventry's Local Offer sets out the range of provision that is available to children and young people (0-25) with SEND across education, health and social care. This must include a range of information, as set out in paragraph 4.30 of the "SEND Code of Practice: 0 to 25 Years"
This document also states that children and young people and their parents must be involved in planning and reviewing of the Local Offer, and this is your chance to do so!
Where: Welcome Centre, 47 Parkside, Coventry, CV1 2HG
When: Tuesday 15th November, 10am - 2pm.
Booking essential (details here)
Free Lunch!
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- Are you a parent or caregiver of a child with autism?
- Do you provide or commission autism services for children with autism and parents who support them?
- Would you like to find out about a programme that can support parents of children with autism to become more resilient?
This free event will reflect on parents' experience of the Hope programme, as well as offer the chance to talk to parent facilitators, university researchers and local agencies who support parents of children with autism.
Where: Richard Crossman Building (RCG01), Coventry University, Jordan Well, Coventry, CV1 5RW
When: Thursday 24th November, 6.00pm - 8.00pm
Full details and how to book a place are available here.
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A FREE youth club for young wheelchair users (8-25 yrs old) meets at Hereward College once a month, offering the chance to meet new friends, gain new skills and just have some fun!
The club is run by Whizz-Kidz, a national charity supporting children with physical disabilities, who also offer a support network for parents of young wheelchair users.
Where: Hereward College
When: Saturday 12 November (10am -3pm)
Saturday 10 December (10am - 3pm)
For more information contact Fiona on 07552 785990 or email TrainerFM@whizz-kidz.org.uk
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All upcoming events can be found on the events page of the SEND IASS website.
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"Common Assessment Framework" in association the Coventry Children and Family First CAF co-ordinators.
Come along and find out how the Common Assessment Framework (CAF) can offer help and support to children, young people and their families.
This is a regular workshop which, in its last running in April 2015, 90% of attendees rated either excellent or good.
Where: Limbrick Wood Centre, Thomas Naul Croft, CV4 9QX
When: Friday 25 November 10am - 12pm (9.30am for tea/coffee)
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Drop-in session
Come and speak to the team with any questions you may have about SEND and find out what support we can offer.
Tea/coffee and biscuits too!
Where: Barley Lea Children's Centre, Stoke Aldermoor, CV3 1DX
When: Wednesday 30 November 10am - 12pm
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The Coventry Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Local Offer brings together information for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities and their families.
The SEND Local Offer will cover services available to the public across education, health and social care:
Education: such as nurseries, playgroups, schools and colleges as well as support services like Educational Psychology and SEN services
Health: children's and adult services including GPs, therapists and hospital services
Social care: such as short break services and children's and adult disability services.
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If you have any comments or wish to contribute something to the next bulletin, please let us know by contacting us sendnews@coventry.gov.uk
Alternatively, you can keep up to date through SEND IASS's;
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